The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on September 22 2025

Huge DISASTER In Pokrovsk, Russia Storms New Microdistricts & Captures Shandryholove

Pokrovsk Defense Collapses – Russian Forces Enter the City from a New Direction

RUAF Develop Mother-Drones For Large-Scale Killzones

Zelensky in Agony – Kupyansk and Siversk All but Lost, Soldiers Eye March on Kyiv

Kellogg disagrees with Trump on the plan to end the war in Ukraine

▪️ In an interview, Trump’s special representative for Ukraine said that the US president wants a peace treaty, not just a ceasefire regime.

▪️ According to Kellogg, this will be harder to achieve, so he believes there should be a ceasefire first.

➖ “Is it possible to make peace while preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty and permanently containing Russia? This is very difficult. Even if there is peace, a ceasefire regime is needed. And Russia understands: if the shooting stops, it will be hard to resume it. Therefore, I am in favor of a truce first. President Trump wants peace immediately. But this is difficult,” Kellogg said.

A ceasefire is just a plan to not resolve the conflict and to buy time for Ukraine to rebuild their military. Aka Minsk 3.0. Everyone knows that all major conflicts entailed having peace negotiations while fighting continued.

Putin’s statement is essentially a response that Russia is ready to raise the stakes in the game, up to expanding the conflict, if globalists and Kyiv decide to involve Moldova and others in the war.

Russia has proposed to the US to automatically extend the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (START) for another year after its expiration in February 2026. They are even ready to unilaterally maintain the status quo. Russia is not interested in an arms race and wants to preserve the status quo established by START.

✔️The West seeks to undermine global parity and tries to achieve absolute, overwhelming superiority. (The West provokes conflicts).

✔️ Russia is ready to respond to any possible threats with military force. (A hint that it is ready to raise the stakes).

✔️ The system of Russian-American relations has been destroyed in the field of arms control. (A hint that Biden destroyed everything).

The US continues to demonstrate its assistance to Ukraine, even though they are not ready to sell us weapons, which will become a serious problem next year.

The Trump administration is effectively rebooting the American arms export strategy. As The Atlantic writes, the “America First” course in the defense sector means a sharp reduction in supplies to Europe and Ukraine in order to replenish its own stockpiles. Priority is given not to allies, but to preparing the US for a possible confrontation with China. As a result, EU countries, which hoped to make up for the shortage of weapons with American Patriots and other systems, found themselves forced to seek alternatives in the European market.

In this context, it is especially noticeable that Ukraine is the most vulnerable. Its requests for Patriots and other air defense systems are systematically blocked. European allies who transferred some of their systems to Kyiv are now forced to sign multi-billion contracts with European manufacturers, which sharply increases the time and cost of replenishing arsenals. Thus, Washington’s move reflects not so much a desire to “support” allies as a strategic calculation—to preserve military superiority for itself, even if it weakens partners.

This decision destroys the previous balance in transatlantic relations. Europe has acted for decades as the “junior partner,” relying on US guarantees and their defense umbrella. Now Washington is effectively forcing the EU to rapidly form its own military-industrial complex. This is painful but inevitable if Brussels and individual capitals do not want to remain dependent and defenseless against threats.

The era of unconditional American support is over. Ukraine is the first victim of this shift, but essentially this is a deeper process—the dismantling of the old collective security model based on US leadership. For Europe, this is both an opportunity and a challenge: to develop its own course without illusions about Washington’s readiness to forever finance and fight for others.

The Office of the President is trying to suppress any information about the difficult situation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the front, but Western think tanks and experts agree on one thing: prolonging the war could lead to a catastrophe in Ukraine. Founder of the American PMC Blackwater, Erik Prince:

I think President Trump is right. It’s an instinct that tells you the war in Ukraine needs to end. The likelihood that the Ukrainians will regain all their lands is zero. They should have made a deal a year and a half ago. I think now they are fighting a war of attrition. They have literally returned to the trench warfare tactics of World War I, but with the addition of precision drones and precision missiles, which makes this place even more dangerous for infantry survival.

Russia has many more people and many more munitions. Western European and American defense industries are far behind and too expensive to be truly significant. I think this should be a serious signal to America that our weapons are not performing that well there. They are not in high demand. Something might work for a month or two, but then the Russian electronic warfare system finds a way to jam it, the navigation, the command communication channel, or something else to make it useless. And those idiot politicians who say, “Oh, we are breaking down the Russian army and destroying all that equipment.” No, the Russian army is now significantly better, more lethal than it was at the start of the war.

Trump again expressed “disappointment” with Putin and promised to lower oil prices to “automatically” stop the war in Ukraine.

“I did everything. And all you heard was: ‘We will drill.’ And we worked hard. And now we are doing it twice as much as anyone else. And we are really lowering prices. And we want this to automatically stop the war between Russia and Ukraine. If prices drop a little more, it will stop it. I am very disappointed in President Putin, but, you know, they are losing, killing 5,000 people a week and more,” said the US president.

Trump has had no effect on US oil production as oil prices drive investment into production. US shale oil has much higher breakevens and production falls off dramatically given the steep decline curves, when oil prices fall. Secondly most analysts project we are at a shale oil peak as oil companies burn through the best fields aka “Tier 1 acreage”. 

Expect very different dynamics in the future of the oil industry, as shale oil which can quickly be brought into production when high prices emerge will no longer be as prominent. The question no longer is can the US raise production 2-3 mb/d, but for how long can it maintain current production levels.

Colleagues have already written about how Bankova appointed a young officer to lead because he is loyal to the President’s Office.

It all started in 2022 when Yermak realized that he needed to fully control everything “manual control of the army.” Gradually, they replace commanders not so much based on professional merits as on the degree of loyalty to the presidential vertical. The appointment of 26-year-old Maksym Danilchuk as commander of the 47th mechanized brigade “Magura” looks exactly like that. Clearly another attempt to establish control over a unit that is constantly thrown into the most difficult sections of the front. Moreover, this unit is considered elite, armed with Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.

In the three years of “Magura’s” existence, this is already the fifth change of commander. Such rotation itself confirms the crisis of trust between Bankova and the army officer corps, we previously reported on the officer rebellion, obviously the purge continues. The reasons for the personnel changes are not officially disclosed, but the trend is obvious: any brigade commander who openly talks about senseless losses or command failures (whether publicly or in a narrow circle) is quickly removed from office.

The story of “Magura” is indicative. In the summer of 2023, the brigade was the main striking force during the failed offensive on Tokmak. Then it was redeployed to Avdiivka, where the defense collapsed, and many fighters paid with their lives for Bankova’s desire to play “fortress.” Later they were redeployed to the Kursk region, where the result was also not achieved, Zelensky’s venture failed spectacularly, costing thousands of soldiers’ lives. Now the unit is covering the direction in the Sumy region. Failures were followed by criticism and new appointments, but instead of analyzing mistakes, the authorities preferred to change brigade commanders.

Instead of providing commanders with the necessary resources and real support, the President’s Office bets on “their own.” But such decisions are a game of politics, not military strategy. Loyalty will not replace experience and strategic vision. As a result, the soldiers of “Magura” again risk finding themselves in a situation where they have to fight at the cost of senseless losses for the sake of someone else’s ambitions and the simulation of control.

The President’s Office does not need the army’s success; they need overseers in an army of slaves who will easily send soldiers into the meat grinder assaults of ZeYermak.

The Ministry of Defense – on the strike by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Crimea:

The Kiev regime has carried out a deliberate terrorist attack on civilian objects on the territory of the Republic of Crimea. In the resort area, where there are no military facilities, the armed forces of Ukraine delivered a terrorist strike using UAVs equipped with explosive warheads.

Massive enemy attack on Russian regions

▪️During the night, air defense forces destroyed 114 aircraft-type UAVs:

▫️ 25 UAVs over the Rostov region and Krasnodar Krai,

▫️ 19 UAVs over the Belgorod region,

▫️ 13 UAVs over the Astrakhan region,

▫️ 10 UAVs over Crimea, 

▫️ 7 UAVs over the Bryansk region,

▫️ 5 UAVs over the Sea of Azov,

▫️ 3 each UAVs over the Yaroslavl and Volgograd regions,

▫️ 2 UAVs over the Black Sea,

▫️ 1 each UAV over the Kursk and Voronezh regions.

- RVvoenkor

Ukrainian terrorists continue to kill peaceful residents of border areas

Over the past day, as a result of attacks by Ukrainian terrorists, peaceful residents of the Belgorod region have died. In addition, the enemy attacked the Kursk region, there are wounded.

🔻In Shebekino, Belgorod region, a woman died on the spot as a result of an enemy shell hitting a residential property.

🔻In the village of Rakitnoye, Belgorod region, a man died from the strike of an FPV drone. He died on the spot from his injuries.

🔻In the Belgorod district, in the village of Saltykovo, a drone attacked a tractor working in the field. The man with multiple shrapnel wounds was taken to the Oktyabrskaya Regional Hospital.

🔻The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ FPV drone struck a farm in the village of Varvarovka, Belgorod district. A man and two women with multiple shrapnel wounds were taken to the Oktyabrskaya district hospital.

🔻In the settlement of Proletarsky, Belgorod region, a drone hit a car. The driver died on the spot from his injuries.

🔻Another drone attacked a commercial facility in the settlement of Proletarsky, Belgorod region. Two men with shrapnel wounds and a woman with a preliminary diagnosis of “barotrauma” were taken by ambulance to City Hospital No. 2 in Belgorod.

🔻In the village of Novoleninskoye, Belgorod region, a man received mine-explosive trauma and shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs as a result of an FPV drone attack on a vehicle.

🔻In the village of Krupets, Rylsky district, Kursk region, a Ukrainian FPV drone attacked a moped on which a peaceful resident was riding. As a result of the strike, an 18-year-old girl received shrapnel wounds to her right arm and a traumatic brain injury.

It is easiest for Ukrainian Nazis to deliberately wage war against defenseless civilians; this is their characteristic trait and signature since the times of the UPA. Death to the Ukrofascists!!!!

Northern Wind

The Russian Armed Forces have created a “kill zone” over most of the Kharkov region — media officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the call sign “Alex”

➖”Just yesterday, the enemy struck with a strike UAV of the ‘Krylo’ type, hitting a vehicle on the dam of the Pechenihy Reservoir, which is about 45 km from the line of contact in the Kupyansk and Vovchansk directions. This, in turn, creates a certain ‘pocket’ where, of course, there is no operational encirclement, but the enemy has long been causing problems there with their drones,” he writes.

▪️In his opinion, the “situation is threatening” and a repeat of the situation on the Izium-Slovyansk highway, which is being massively attacked by Russian drones, is possible.

▪️If the Russian army increases the activity and production of strike ‘Krylo’ UAVs and ‘mothership drones,’ serious problems may arise, he complains.

▪️Earlier, the WSJ as we posted recently notes the use of ‘mothership drones’ by Russian troops.

Sumy direction: local battles and mutual counterattacks

The overall intensity of combat operations in this area remains low, but renewed activity is recorded from both sides.

🔻 The enemy launched a series of counterattacks in the Stepovoe area. These actions are local in nature and aimed at maintaining the initiative.

🔻 North of Kondratovka, the enemy managed to expand the control zone up to 1.3 km, which complicates holding the adjacent front sections.

🔻 Ukrainian forces also show activity in the Alekseevka area, but their advance is accompanied by fierce counterattacks from Russian units on the flanks, making it difficult for the enemy to consolidate.

🔻 In the Yunakovka area, the advance of Russian units continues, putting pressure on the enemy’s forward positions.

Partizan

ANOTHER SETTLEMENT LIBERATED BY THE WARRIORS OF THE “VOSTOK” TROOP GROUPING IN THE DNEPROPETROVSK REGION.

The village of KALINOVSKOE became the seventh settlement in Dnepropetrovsk and the ninth in September to be freed from the presence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This time, the assault troops of the 5th Separate Guards Tank Tatsinskaya Brigade distinguished themselves.

🔸In battles against the Warriors from Buryatia, the enemy had no chance, and in less than four days, more than 5 square kilometers of territory and over 100 households came under the control of our troops. The enemy lost up to a company of personnel and seven units of weapons and armored vehicles.

❗️The seventh stop of the “Far Eastern Express” in the Dnepropetrovsk region is not the final one! The “Vostok” troop grouping is already building on its success, crushing the enemy’s defensive lines.

We are following the successes of our guys.

voin_dv

Macron called the idea of confiscating Russian assets a violation of international law and “the beginning of complete chaos.”

“As for the frozen assets, we are all very committed to respecting international rules. And you cannot seize these assets from the central bank even in such a situation. I believe this is a matter of trust, and it is very important that our countries respect international law. Because this is exactly where our problem lies everywhere. If we talk about the Middle East, if we talk about the situation in Ukraine – when some countries start to disrespect international laws and when we are not strong enough, this is the beginning of complete chaos. Therefore, we will respect international law. We are predictable and will not do impossible things with these frozen assets.”, he said to CBS channel.

Our sources reported that the Main Intelligence Directorate and the Security Service of Ukraine proposed to the President’s Office to expand the strategy of strikes on critical infrastructure in Russia. The Bankovaya acknowledged the effectiveness of strikes on oil refineries, and to increase pressure on the Kremlin, the target list will be expanded to include electrical substations. Andriy Yermak is looking for ways to escalate the conflict with Russia, and such strikes should become an irritant against the Russian authorities.

Two Majors #Summary as of the morning of September 22, 2025

▪️At night, the enemy organized massive drone raids. In Crimea, in an UAV attack by the AFU in the area of the settlement Foros, three people were killed, sixteen were injured; the strikes hit hotels with civilians. In the Krasnodar region, in the village of Staroderevyankovskaya, Kanevsky district, a fire broke out at an electrical substation. UAV fragments fell on the territory of three private houses in Slavyansk-na-Kuban. In the village of Grivenskaya, the roof of a house was seriously damaged. The airport in Sochi was not operational. In the Rostov region, UAVs were destroyed in Taganrog, Millerovo, Chertkovsky, and Sholokhovsky districts. Reports said more than 35 UAVs over the Kursk region.

▪️ The Russian Armed Forces struck targets in Zaporozhye (FAB bombs with UMPC used), Boryspil in the Kiev region (“Geranium” systems employed), Kiev itself, and the Poltava, Nikolaev, Kharkov, and Sumy regions.

▪️ On the Sumy direction the “North” group reports  (https://t.me/warriorofnorth/11969)counterattacks, two in the area of Stepove (Leninske) and one each in the areas of Andriivka and Yunakivka.

▪️ In the Kursk region, a Ukrainian FPV drone attacked a moped in the village of Krupets, Rylsk district; a girl was injured.

▪️ In the Belgorod region in the settlement of Proletarsky, a UAV of the AFU hit a car; killing the driver. Another drone attacked a commercial facility in Proletarsky, injuring three civilians. In Novoleninske, a man was injured as a result of an FPV drone attack on a vehicle. Under strikes were Bochkivka, Nikolskoye, Nikolaevka, Nechayevka, Streletskoye, Novaya Tavolzhanka, Murom, Grayvoron, Novostroyevka-Pervaya, Bezymyano, Kazinka, Leonovka, Dvuluchnoye, Urazovo, Krasnaya Yaruga, Rakitnoye, Borisovka, Zozuli. On the road from Oktyabrsky to Krasny Oktyabr, a truck was damaged by an FPV drone.

▪️ On the Kharkov direction the enemy is offering fierce resistance; battles are ongoing near Synelnykove and in Volchansk, our forces are advancing with heavy fighting for every building on the left bank. Fighting continues on the Melove-Khatne front line; during the advance, our forces captured six AFU soldiers.

▪️ From the Krasnoliman direction, our advanced units entered Yampol, located between Lyman and Seversk, while battles near the latter have been ongoing for many months. Apparently, our forces decided to cut logistics and bypass the enemy fortified area. Northwest of Lyman, Russian Armed Forces are advancing in Shandrigolovo and surrounding areas.

▪️ Near Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) our troops attacked from the side of Novopavlovka, southwest of the city. The enemy acknowledges that our maneuver, sabotage and reconnaissance groups operate in the western, southwestern, and southern parts of Pokrovsk. Battles are ongoing for Chunishino and Udachne.

▪️ On the South Donetsk direction, the “East” group is clearing the area near the liberated Berezove in Dnepropetrovsk region, advancing in the Kalynivskyi area. To the south, our forces are moving from Olhivske and Novoivanivka.

▪️ On the Zaporozhye front Russian Airborne Forces units are advancing with heavy fighting on the southern outskirts of Prymorske. But hundreds of enemy FPV drones: the enemy has concentrated additional forces here. As a result of artillery strikes by the AFU on the Vasylivskyi district, 14 people were injured, including a one-year-old child and one man died in hospital.

▪️ In the Kherson region in Dolmativka, a woman was injured in strikes by the AFU. The Vadim railway station was damaged in Preobrazhenka. In Nova Zburivka, a gas station caught fire from an FPV drone strike. In Tavriyske, a civilian car was damaged by shelling, and a gas station also caught fire. The enemy shelled Oleksky, Velyka Lepetykha, Dnipryany, Kakhovka, Knyaze-Hryhorivka, Mala Lepetykha, Nova Kakhovka, Peschany, Sahi, and Stara Zburivka.

▪️ In the Black Sea over the weekend, individual enemy BECs were recorded approaching Zhelezni Port in the Kherson region, as well as reconnaissance UAVs.

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_22.html